Characterization of typical metal particles during haze episodes in Shanghai, China

Rui Li; Xin Yang; Hongbo Fu; Qingqing Hu; Liwu Zhang; Jianmin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.140

Characterization of typical metal particles during haze episodes in Shanghai, China

Chemosphere. 2017 Aug:181:259-269. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.140. Epub 2017 Apr 19.

Authors

Rui Li¹, Xin Yang¹, Hongbo Fu², Qingqing Hu¹, Liwu Zhang¹, Jianmin Chen³

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
² Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CICAEET), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China. Electronic address: fuhb@fudan.edu.cn.
³ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. Electronic address: jmchen@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 28448907
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.140

Abstract

Aerosol particles were collected during three heavy haze episodes at Shanghai in the winter of 2013. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the morphology and speciation of typical metal particles at a single-particle level. In addition, time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) was applied to identify the speciation of the Fe-containing particles. TEM analysis indicated that various metal-containing particles were hosted by sulfates, nitrates, and oxides. Fe-bearing particles mainly originated from vehicle emissions and/or steel production. Pb-, Zn-, and Sb-bearing particles were mainly contributed by anthropogenic sources. Fe-bearing particles were clustered into six groups by ATOFMS: Fe-Carbon, Fe-Inorganic, Fe-Trace metal, Fe-CN, Fe-PO_3, and Fe-NO₃. ATOFMS data suggested that Fe-containing particles corresponded to different origins, including industrial activities, resuspension of dusts, and vehicle emissions. Fe-Carbon and Fe-CN particles displayed significant diurnal variation, and high levels were observed during the morning rush hours. Fe-Inorganic and Fe-Trace metal particle levels peaked at night. Furthermore, Fe-Carbon and Fe-PO₃ were mainly concentrated in the fine particles. Fe-CN, Fe-Inorganic, and Fe-Trace metal exhibited bimodal distribution. The mixing state of the particles revealed that all Fe-bearing particles tended to be mixed with sulfate and nitrate. The data presented herein is essential for elucidating the origin, evolution processes, and health effects of metal-bearing particles.

Keywords: ATOFMS; Haze; Single particle; TEM; Trace metals.

MeSH terms

Aerosols / analysis*
Air Pollutants / analysis*
China
Dust / analysis
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Iron / chemistry
Metals / analysis*
Nitrates / chemistry
Oxides / chemistry
Particle Size
Seasons
Spectrum Analysis
Sulfates / chemistry
Vehicle Emissions / analysis

Substances

Aerosols
Air Pollutants
Dust
Metals
Nitrates
Oxides
Sulfates
Vehicle Emissions
Iron